China 'deeply moved' by Pakistan's strong support, assistance amid coronavirus outbreak

Pakistan was the first country to pass resolutions to fully support China in fight against virus, says spokesperson

China has said it was "deeply moved" by Pakistan strong support and assistance as Beijing grapples with the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

"Since the outbreak of the epidemic, the Pakistani government and people have offered strong support and assistance to China. We are deeply moved and would like to express our thanks again," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian during the weekly media briefing.

He further maintained that according to the National Health Commission, 1,846 patients were cured and discharged from the hospital - as of February 23 -  in China's mainland, raising the total number of cured cases to 24,734.

Lijian highlighted Pakistan's support after the COVID-19 outbreak and said, "Pakistan spoke in support of China at the earliest time possible."

China, Pakistan are good brothers that share weal and woe: President Xi

He also appreciated supplies donated by Islamabad and said Pakistan's National Assembly and Senate also passed resolutions expressing their full support for China.

"Not long ago, Pakistan's National Assembly and Senate passed resolutions to fully support China's fight against the epidemic, making Pakistan the first country to do so in the world," he said.

Late last week, Prime Minister Imran Khan called Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed solidarity with the Chinese leadership.

During the telephonic conversation, the Prime Minister’s Office said, Imran “conveyed his heartfelt condolences over the loss of precious lives” because of the virus outbreak. The premier also praised China’s “relentless efforts” to contain the spread of coronavirus.

China all praise for Pakistan in fight against new virus

“The people and the government of Pakistan stand firmly behind China in its decisive efforts to fight and eliminate the virus,” the prime minister said. He reiterated Pakistan’s offer of assistance – a field hospital along with a team of doctors – to help Beijing combat COVID-19.

Xi expressed profound gratitude for Pakistan’s support to China at a critical time and underscored that China was taking effective, swift and timely measures to battle coronavirus. He emphasised that China would win this war against coronavirus.

"Facts have proved once again that China and Pakistan are true friends and good brothers that share weal and woe," state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Xi as telling Imran.